IF they handed out medals for outstanding service to cricket clubs, Durham’s Gordon Muchall would probably have a cabinet-full.

Instead, coach Jon Lewis was hoping he could make do with lifting the Second Eleven Trophy against Lancashire today.

The Riversiders’ quest for the trophy was anchored by three outstanding club men in Will Smith, Gareth Breese and captain Muchall.

Specialist batsman Smith – the first-team captain in 2009-10 – donned the wicketkeeping gloves against Lancashire because regular Michael Richardson is playing in today’s County Championship game against Sussex.

Former West Indies international Breese has been an uncomplaining second-team stalwart for years.

Newcastle-born Muchall has set aside a disappointing four-day season to lead the side into today’s final.

Lewis said: “He is an outstanding character.

“The club have benefited from having him around for 13 years, not just for his batting, which in the one-day stuff this year has been very, very consistent, but just in terms of having the right characters around.

“He sets such good examples and he is such a good captain as well.

“Good captains can make a lot of difference in one-day cricket.

“We are fortunate to have him in the seconds and to have had him in the club all these years.”